Commissioners approve reappointments, new members to Parks Advisory Board amid discussion of term limits and board training

Clallam County commissioners on July 21 approved staff and advisory-board recommendations to reappoint one member and appoint two new members to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board.

County staff presented formal recommendations to reappoint Diane (last name not specified in transcript) and to appoint Troy Jarmuth to fill a vacancy; staff also recommended Rick Burns as an additional appointment for his community volunteer work on disc-golf-course maintenance and event organization. Staff described Burns as an experienced volunteer organizer who has helped raise funds and coordinate maintenance in local parks.

Commissioners asked staff to explain the reasoning behind the recommendations; staff said periodic refreshment of advisory boards can bring new perspectives and that Burns had previously been a strong second recommendation for a prior vacancy. Commissioners expressed differing views. One commissioner supported new appointments and praised long-serving members’ contributions; another argued the county should consider establishing term limits across advisory boards to encourage rotation and new applicants. A commissioner suggested that the county do more formal training for board and commission members on meeting process, rules of order and expectations, noting potential applicants sometimes withdraw after observing poorly run meetings.

Board members will be placed on the agenda for formal appointment at the next regular meeting; commissioners indicated the intent to appoint the recommended candidates at the July 29 meeting.